Thermostatic oil burner



May 28, 1929 L. s. CHADWICK THERMOSTATIC OIL BURNER s Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Sept. 26, 1925 dwi'awknjwv May 28, 1929. L. s. CHADWICKTHERMOSTATIC OIL BURNER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 26, 1923 i lyom y28, 1929- L. s. CHADWICK l,7 5.33

THERMOSTATIC OIL BURNER Filed Sept. 26, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 n n a IPatented May 28, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

LEE S. C HADWIGK, OF SHAKER HEIGHTS VILLAGE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TOPERFECTION STOVE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

THERMOSTATIC OIL BURNER.

\ My present invention relates to liquid fuel burners and moreparticularly to means forautomatically extinguishing the flame orreducing the size of the flame when-the "burner parts become overheated.It involves va thermostat which is responsive to the tem-' perature ofthe metallic par-ts of the burner or-to'the temperature of the oil inthe immediate vicinity of the burner parts, and which is practicallyunaffected by the temperature of the flame. The subject matter of thepresent case is thus distinguished from that of my earlier applicationSerial No. 488,107, filed February 26, 1921, wherein is disclosedthermostatic means subjected to the heat of the flame for reducing thesize of the flame, as by lowerin the wick, in the event the temperature0% the flame becomes excessive. The objects of my present invention areto provide ineans responsive to the temperature of the metallic parts ofa liquid fuel burner, either by radiation of heat therefrom or metalliccontinuity therewith, which will act automatically to reduce the size ofthe flameshould the temperature of such parts become excessively high;to provide means responsive to the temperature of the liquid fuelsustained in proximity to the metallic parts of a liquid fuel burnerwhich will act fuel to the burner; and to provide means such as any ofthe foregoing, which is adjustable to cause it to operate at differentdegrees of temperature. x Further aims are to provide a device throughwhich the several foregoing objects are attained in a highly eflicientmanner and which'is compact, simple and inexpensive of construction, isvery durable, and is practically immune from disorder.

Embodiments serving to illustrate my invention are shown in theaccompanying drawing and while I shall proceed. to describe the presentembodiments in' detail it will be understood that I do not limitmyselfto the structural features thereof further than is required bythe termsof the claims annexed hereto.

form of my invention; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line-22 ofFig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional .side elevation of a liquid fuel burnerequipped with a" modification of the invention; Fig. 4 is a fragmentarysectional view of a burner incorporating a further modification; Fig. 5is a sectional detail showing an adjustment which is applicable toeither of the forms shown in Figs. 3 or 4; Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionthrough a burner embodying another modification of the invention; andFig. 7 is a section on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

I have elected to show my invention associated with a wick burner of thetubular type wherein the inner and outer wick tubes are designated 1 and2, respectively, and are joined together attheir lower ends by anannular wall 3 which, in the present instance, is an integral part ofthe outer wick tube; Within the annular reservoir 4, enclosed by thetubes 1 and 2, is a cylindrical Wick 5 equipped with the usual carrier6. In burners of the type illustrated there are pinions 7 which engagethe carrier 6 to raise and lower the wick when a spindle 8, to which thepinions are secured, is rotated by a handle 9 applied to its outer end.The spindle and pinions are enclosed within a sleeve 10 and casing 11,respectively.

The foregoing parts are common to all forms of the invention illustratedin the drawings and will be designated by like reference charactersthroughout the several views.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a valve of the inner wick tubethrough lateral extensions 16 which are flanged at their outer ends andsuitably connected to the wick tube. A boss 17 which depends from thevalve, casing is threaded into the vertical branch of a T 18 throughwhich sections of a fuel supply pipe 19 are connected together.

The boss 17 and extensions 16 have bores through which communication isestablished between the supply pipe, valve casing, and reservoir 4.A-valve seat 20 surrounds the inner end of the bore of box 17 and avalve 21 is arranged for cooperation therewith. The valve is carried bya diaphragm 25 which has its periphery clamped between the flanged upperend of the valve casin and a ring 26 secured thereto by screws 2%. The

joint between the diaphragm and the valve casing is'renderedliquid-tlght by solder or other suitable means.

A thermostat 28, comprising a bellows containing a suitable fluid whichis very susceptible to temperature changes and expands when heatedcausing the bellows to elongate, is interposed between the diaphragm andthe central portion of an inverted U-shaped yoke that rises from thering 26. The connection between the thermostat and the yoke ispreferably made adjustable so that, through the thermostat, the valvemay be adjusted toward and from its seat. Thus the valve may be causedtoclose at different temperatures. The adjustable connection may beeffected through anut 29 that is rotatably mounted in the yoke andthreaded on a stud 30 that extends from the thermostat.

When the burner parts become unduly heated, especially the inner wicktube 1 which is more susceptible to an overheated condition than theother parts, the heat is radiated to the thermostat 28,- and in partconducted thereto through the metal connections between it and theburner, causing the fluid in the thermostat to expand and the bellows toelongate as above explained,

, thereby to depress the valve 21 against the seat 20. This shuts offthe supply of oil to the reservoir 4 and the flame gradually diminishesuntil the temperature of the parts falls sufficiently to cause thethermostat to contract or shorten and lift the valve.

Of course, the adjustment may be such as will cause the flame to beextinguished and require its being relighted after the parts cool.

The form of the invention illustrated in' Fig. 3 will next be described.

ecured to one side of the outer wick tube 2 adjacent its lower end is anelbow fitting through which communication is established between thereservoir 4 of the burner and a fuel supply pipe 36, the elbow beingshown as bound against a seat 37 on ,thepipe by the usual clamp 38.

The elbow fitting 35 is provided with an internally threaded boss 40into which the neck 41 of a casing 42 is adapted to be screwed, and thejoint between the neck and boss may be rendered liquid tight by a gasket43 of relatively hard material, or, in lieu thereof, the joint may besoldered or similarly sealed. To the end wall 45 of the casing 42 1Ssecured one end of a thermostat 46, and the other end of the thermostatcarries Y a valve member 47 in the form of a rod,

which is guided within the neck of the casing and has 1ts and shaped forcooper ation with a seat 48 that is formed in the passageway of theelbow fitting 35 between the supply pipe 36 and the reservoir 4. Whenthe thermostat 46 is expanded by a rise in temperature, it advances thevalve 47 toward the seat48. Communication between the reservoir 4' andthe casing 42 is established through grooves 47 in the valve member 47.

Attention is directed to the facts that metallic connection isuninterrupted between the burner parts and the thermostat 46; and thatsaid thermostat is submerged within a body of liquid fuel situated inClOSBQPIOXlIIh ity to and in continuity with that in the reservoir 4.Accordingly, should the burner parts, asthe tubes 1 and 2, especiallythe former, become overheated through any cause and create a dangerouscondition, the temperature of said parts will be transmitted rapidly tothe thermostat 4G and cause it to expand and engage the valve 47 withthe seat 48 and shut off the supply of liquid fuel to the reservoir 4thereby to effect in a comparatively short time, a diminishing oftheflame through lack of fuel. \Vhether the flame is reduced or whollyextinguished is dependent upon the sensitiveness of the thermostat andupon the adjustment of the valve with respect to the valve seat. In casethe thermostat is very sensitive and the adjustment proper for theattainment of such a result, the valve will be withdrawn from the seatafter the flame has been reduced and the temperature of the burner partsconsequently lowered, allowing a fresh supply of fuel to flow into thereservoir; While I have mentioned the fact that the thermostat is inmetallic connection with the burner parts so that the temperature ofsaid parts will be quickly transmitted to said'element, I wish also tomake clear that the prompt action of the thermostat is further assuredby the fact that the element is submerged within a body of liquid fuelthat is in close proximity to that contained within the reservoir 4.Consequently the overheated condition of the liquid fuel within thereservoir 4 will be effective in causing the thermostat to act to shutoff the supply of fuel.

The construction and operation of the form of the invention illustratedin Fig. 4 will be readily apparent from what has been said of the formshown in Fig. 3. The marked difference between the two forms is inthelocation of the thermostat. In Fig. 4 it is shown, as in the firstinstance, located inside the burner and consequently under the moredirect influence of an overheated condition of the interior of theburner Where overheating develops the quickest and is least afiect'ed bythe surrounding air.

The same reference characters are used to designate the identical partsin Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

Pointing out the structural differences between the two forms shown inFigs. 3 and 4. the elbow fitting 35, shown in Fig. 4, has an inwardlydirected portion 40 that is extended through aligning holes in the innerand outer wick tubes 1 and 2 and is externally threaded neck threadedfor the application of the internally 4:1 of the thermostat casingvgf.

ile the adjustment illustrated in Fig.

5 may be incorporated in either of the foregoing forms, I have shown itin connection with the form illustrated in Fig. 3.- Here, the neck 41 ofthe casing 42 is threaded into the portion i0 of the elbow fitting 35,and by turning the casing 42 it may be adjusted in and out to advancethe valve 47 nearer the seat 48 or to withdraw it further therefrom. Bythis adjustment the therinostat may be caused to act to shut off theflow of fuel at diiferent degrees of tempcrature.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a very simple, yet thoroughly eflicientembodiment of the invention wherein a thermostat 50 is locatedinside thelower portion of the burner with its axis disposed transversely thereof,one end of the thermostat being secured to a reinforcing plate 51 thatis applied to one side of the inner wick tube 1, while the other end isadjustably connected through reversely threaded stems 52 and 53, and asleeve nut 54, to a diametrically opposite portion 55 of the inner wicktube. The portion 55, which is shown as flat, constitutes a valve forcooperation with the inner end of a tubular extension 57 of an elbowfitting 58 through which the Wick space of the burner communicates withthe supply pipe 59. A clamp 60 binds the elbow fitting 58 to a seat 61on the supply pipe.

When the thermostat is elongated through a rise in temperature of thesurrounding burner parts, it forces the portion 55 of the inner wicktube against the end of the ex tension 57 of the elbow fitting therebyto shut off the flow of oil to thG'TQSGIVOiI or wick space 4 until thethermostat subseuently short-ens. By means of the nut 54 tie mechanismmay be adjusted to act atdifferent temperatures.

In Fig. 1 there is shown, in dot-and-dash lines, associated with theburner the usual air controlling men 1ber or flame spreader 65, the flueor drum 66,'and the drum supportin collar 67 With respect to the variousembodiments it is evident that the temperature of the thermostat, ismaintained substantially equal to that of the burner tubes or adjacentburner parts through any one of the following causes, to-wit: radiationof heat fromthe burner parts; conduction of heat through the metalconnections between the burner and the thermostat; or conduction of heatthrough the liquid fuel.

It will'be readily apparent to those familiar with liquid fuel burnersof both the wick and wickless types that my present invention isapplicable to the latter type,

as well as the former in connection with which it is herein disclosed.Therefore it is tobe understood that I do not limit myself to the typeof burner shown. By way of explanation it may also be said that wherethe expression excessively high or 1ts equivalent 1s used 1n the claimsto mode fy temperature it is intended to mean a terfnperature above what.is practical and sa e.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combinationwith a liquid fuel burner of the tubular type, thermostaticmeans-situated within and surrounded by the burner tubes so as toreceive the radiant heat-therefrom, and means through whichsaidtherm'ostatic means acts to reduce the size .of the flame when thetemperature of the burner parts becomes excessively high.

2. In combination with a liquid fuel burner, a fuel supply,communicative connections between said fuel supply and the burner, avalve in said connections, said valve comprising a seat and a valvemember for cooperation therewith, and thermostatic means so situatedwith respect to the burner as to be affected by the temperature of theburner parts, said means acting to force the valve member against theseat when the thermostatic means is caused to operate by a rise intemperature of the burner parts to an excessively high degree.

3. In combination with a liquid fuel burner of the tubular type, a valvecasing situated within the lower end of the inner wick tube, a liquidfuel supply pipe, said valve casing having communicative connection withboth the wick space of the burner and the fuel supply pipe, a valvemember with- .interposed between said abutment and the diaphragm.

4. In combination with a liquid fuel burner of the tubular type, anopen-top valve casing situated within the lower portion of the innerwick tube and connected thereto by a tubular lateral extension therebyto establish communication between the interior of the valve casing andthe oil reservoir between the wick tubes, av liquid fuelsupply pipe,connections between said supply pipe and the valve casing, a valve forshutting off such communication, 9. diaphragm closing the open side ofthe valve casing and having operative connection with the valve. anabutment spaced above and fixed with res ect to the valve casing, and athermostatic e ement interposed between the diaphragm and. saidabutment.

5. In combination with a liquid fuel burner of the tubular type, anopen. top valve casing situated within the lower portion of the innerwick tube. and connected thereto by a tubular lateral extension therebyto establish communication between the interior of the valve casing andthe oil reservoir between the wick tubes, a liquid fuel supply pipe,connections between. said supply pipe and the valve casing, a valve forshutting off such communication, a diaphragm closing the open side ofthe valve casing and having operative connection with the valve, anabutment spaced above and fixed with respect to the valve casing, athermostatic element interposed between the diaphragm and said abutment,and means for adjusting the thermostatic element toward and from theabutment.

6. In combination with a liquid fuel burner of the tubular type, a valvecasing situated within the lower end of the inner wick tube, a liquidfuel'supoly pipe, said valve casing having communicative connection withboth the wick space of the burner and the fuel supply pipe, a valvemember within said casing adapted, when actuated, to shut offcommunication between the supply pipe and the valve casing, a diaphragmextending across one side of the valve casing and to which the valve isconnected, an abutment spaced above and fixed with respect to the valvecasing, a thermostatic element interposed between said ,abutment and thediaphragm, and means for adjusting the valve.

7. In combination with a liquid fuel burner of the tubular type, anopen-top valve casing situated within the lower end of the inner wicktube and connected thereto through lateral branches having bores throughwhich communication is established between the interior of the casingand the oil reservoir of the burner, the valve casing having a hollowdepending boss, a liquid fuel supply pipeto which said boss iscommunicatively connected, the boss incorporating a valve seat, adiaphragm extending across and closing the open top of the casing,

a valve supported by said diaphragm in operative relation to the valveseat, a yoke rising from the valve casing, and a thermostatic elementinterposed between the diaphragm and an opposed portion of the. yoke.

8. In combination with a liquid fuel burner of the tubular type, anopen-top valve casing situated within the lower end of the inner wicktube and connected thereto through a lateral branch having a borethrough which communication is established municatively connected, theboss incorporating a Valve seat, a diaphragm closing the open top of thecasing, a valve supported by said diaphragm in operative relation to thevalve seat, an abutment spaced above and fixed with respect to the valvecasing, a thermostatic element interposed between the diaphragm and saidabutment, and adjustable conneetions between the thermostatic elementand the abutment.

9. In combination with a liquid fuel bur'ner of the tubular type, avalve casing situated adjacent the lower end of the inner wick tube, aliquid fuel supply pipe, said valve casing having communicativeconnection with both the wickspace of the burner and the fuel feedsupply pipe, a valve member within said casing adapted, when actuated,to shutoff communication between the supply pipe and the wick space ofthe burner, and a thermostat associated with said valve casing and towhich the valve member is connected.

10. In combination with a liquid fuel burner comprising inner and outerwick tubes enclosing between them an annular fuel reservoir into whichthe wick extends,

a liquid fuel supply pipe, a casing enclosing a chamber, connectionsestablishing communication between said reservoir, supply pipe andchamber, a valve for shutting off communication between the supply pipeand reservoir, and thermostatic means associated with said chamber andacting to close the valve when the heat generated by the burner and towhich the thermostatic means is subjected becomes excessively high.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature. I

LEE S. CHADWICK.

